L NOW pooboo D680 Indoor Cycling Bike

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Flywheel weight	Resistance	Fitness meter
pooboo D680 Check Discounted Price	L: 50.1" W: 19.7" H: 49.6"	280 lbs	24 lbs	Friction	Time, Distance, Odometer, Speed, Calories, Pulse, Scan

The pooboo D680 bike is one of the L NOW indoor cycling trainers in the affordable category. It’s an exercise bike made for home use featuring a friction resistance system but with two side brake pads rather than the regular top-down pad, similar to the Body Xtreme BXF002 or the Sunny SF-B901B. Its flywheel is not as heavy as for most spin bikes but still is great for spin workouts.

Key Features and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 50.1L x 19.7W x 49.6H inches (127L x 50W x 126H cm)
• Assembled weight: 84.8 lbs (38.5 kg)
• Flywheel weight: 24 lbs (10.8 kg)
• Weight capacity: 280 lbs (127 kg)
• Seat: 4-way adjustable
• Pedals: With toe cages
• Drive: Belt
• Resistance: Friction
• Fitness meter: Time, speed, distance, total distance, calories, pulse, scan
• Extras: Bottle holder, tablet holder
• Warranty: 1 year limited

Frame construction

Since it’s an exercise bike made for spin workouts, the pooboo D680 features a frame made of steel tubing. It has a slightly different design than the average triangular spin bike frame; both the main tube and the base longitudinal tube are slightly curved. Also, even though the bike’s frame is steel made, half of it features ABS covers for extra protection and improved aesthetics.

The bike’s frame is coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The main color used is black, with the “pooboo” name and several other inscriptions painted white. The ABS covers have red elements for extra pizzaz, while seat and handlebar posts are chrome plated.

The bike isn’t extremely large. With the seat extender all the way to the back, it is approx. 50.1″ (127 cm) long, and 19.7″ (50 cm) wide. This being said, you’ll need a usage area for it of at least 70″L x 50″W (178 x 127 cm).

Although its flywheel is lighter than the usual 40 lbs (18 kg), the pooboo D680 is a fairly heavy exercise bike. It weighs approx. 84 lbs (38.5 kg), which is twice the weight of the average road bike. Due to this weight, the bike provides excellent stability. Plus, its stability is enhanced by the adjustable levelers on both its base bars.

One last aspect to mention here regards the bike’s portability. Although it does not have a folding design, it can be easily relocated, as its front base is equipped with a set if transportation wheels. By using these wheels when moving the bike, you will only handle approx. 30% of its total weight.

Seat and handlebars

The L NOW pooboo D680 includes a spin saddle which is slightly wider at the rear than other models, thus providing more contact surface. It’s a saddle made for optimal comfort, with a contoured top and a layer of cushioning. It has a standard design; therefore, in case you want to replace it, you should be able to find a compatible model in any bicycle shop. Also, its comfort and cushioning can be improved by applying a gel seat cover on top.

The bike’s seat is 4-way adjustable (up, down, forward, backward). Its horizontal slider offers a few inches of front to back adjustment, while its upright post has several adjustment notches. This being said, the bike can accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’3″ (153 – 190 cm) with no problem. Also, it is durable enough to support users up to 280 lbs (127 kg).

As opposed to other L NOW bikes, such as the pooboo Pro LD-501, this model only has a 2-way adjustable handlebar (up, down). It has a multi-grip design, offering the possibility to adopt a race grip, a close grip, and even has a small loop aero bar in the middle.

The handlebar is fully covered by a layer of high-density foam material to provide a superior grip. It also integrates pulse sensor, a feature that other spin bikes do not have. Both the seat and the handlebar are very easy to adjust. They are equipped with large pull-and-turn knobs which are very easy to grip and unlock. Thus, it takes less than a minute to adjust the bike to your size.

Resistance and drive

The pooboo bike D680 is equipped with a friction resistance system. However, it features a brake similar to a regular bike brake, with two felt pads that hug the flywheel from each side. The brake is attached to the knob on top of the main tube of the bike through a steel cable. As you turn this knob clockwise, the two brake pads apply more friction to the flywheel and increase the pedaling difficulty.

The tension dial does not have any “clicks” or pre-determined resistance levels. You simply tighten it until you get a satisfying resistance level. Also, there is a small lever connected to the brake knob which serves as an emergency brake. For example, in case you are pedaling too fast and need to stop the flywheel from spinning, you only need to press the lever down.

As we’ve mentioned above, this pooboo bike has a slightly lighter flywheel than other models. It weighs 24 lbs (10.8 kg), but does have a perimeter-weighted design. This results in a more aggressive inertia which is great for spinning workouts. The flywheel is chrome-plated but its side panels are ABS made, red-black-white in color, to match the rest of the bike.

The bike’s flywheel is bi-directional. This means you can pedal in reverse if you want. However, when you want to change the way you pedal, it is recommended to use the emergency brake to stop the flywheel, in order to avoid any injuries.

This indoor cycling bike has a belt drive system. This means you don’t have to ever lubricate its transmission. Also, the pedaling motion is very smooth and quiet.

Last but not least, the pooboo D680 indoor cycling bike is equipped with a heavy-duty crankset and metallic pedals. This being said, you can pedal while standing up, as long as you don’t exceed 280 lbs (127 kg). The pedals are equipped with toe cages. They do not have SPD clips for spin shoes but do have standard 9/16 threads, so replacements for them are widely available.

Exercise meter

The pooboo bike D680 includes a basic fitness meter, similar to the one on the D519 model. However, this one also has a pulse reading function. It features an LCD display which tracks time, distance, total distance (odometer), speed, calories, and pulse. It is not telemetric, though, so if you want to benefit from a pulse reading, you will have to use the sensors integrated into the handlebars. In case you’re wondering, it does not have an RPM reading.

The exercise meter unit is very easy to use. It only has one button which allows you to select any of the aforementioned workout metrics, or select the Scan Mode. If the Scan function is selected, the meter will rotate all the metrics showing each one on the display for a few seconds. Also, the button covers the unit’s reset function. By pressing it continuously for several seconds, all the values on it will be cleared to zero.

The meter unit requires two AAA batteries. It also has a sleep mode to which will enter after a few minutes of inactivity on the bike. It starts up once more when you begin pedaling or when you press the button.

Assembly and Maintenance

The main frame of the bike comes pre-assembled, with all the drive and resistance elements already attached to it. Therefore, you only need to add the two base bars, the seat, the handlebars, the pedals, and the exercise meter unit. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. The task is very straightforward and the included booklet provides step-by-step instructions. A basic toolkit is also included.

Since the bike has a belt drive system, its transmission does not require lubrication. In fact, once the unit is assembled, it doesn’t require too much maintenance at all. You just need to keep it clean and periodically check for loose parts.

The Pros

• Fairly sturdy frame – can hold users up to 280 lbs;
• Aesthetic design and compact construction;
• Adjustable stabilizers with rubber pads on both base tubes;
• Transport wheels on the front base;
• 4-way adjustable seat;
• Padded saddle with a contoured top for extra breathability and comfort;
• Multi-grip handlebar with a short loop aero bar in the middle;
• Smooth, almost silent belt drive;
• Metallic pedals with toe cages and standard threads;
• Perimeter-weighted flywheel for high inertia;
• Friction resistance for broad adjustability;
• Exercise meter included – it can track time, distance, total distance, speed, calories, and pulse;
• Bottle holder included;
• Tablet holder included;
• Easy to assemble;
• Assembly tools are included;
• Little maintenance required.

The Cons

• No backlight on the fitness meter;
• No SPD clips on the pedals.

Summary

The L NOW pooboo D680 is an indoor cycling bike designed for home use. It is equipped with a friction resistance system, a 24-lb flywheel, belt drive, a basic fitness meter, and a tablet holder. It also has a pulse reading function. It’s an excellent trainer for intense cardio training, muscle toning, strength and stamina development, interval training, and weight loss. In all, it’s a pretty decent alternative to a commercial spin bike.